Fort Worth Veteran Sues after Botched Surgery and Amputation

Should veterans who are seriously injured by military surgeons be able to sue? One Fort Worth family believes so.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Retired Airman Colton Read and his spouse have filed a lawsuit against the United States government following an allegedly botched gallbladder operation that left the veteran without legs.
The 23-year-old Arlington-born serviceman went to David Grant Medical Center to have his gallbladder removed in 2009 before his deployment. The laparoscopic surgery went poorly before the organ was removed when a surgeon accidentally cut the man’s aorta. Extremely life-threatening complications followed – many the result of negligence, the lawsuit claims – and in the end he was rushed out of the military hospital and had to have both legs amputated.
None of the military doctors at the hospital were disciplined after the medical error.
The medical malpractice lawsuit seeks $34.4 million in damages for loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and disfigurement. In addition, his wife seeks $20.5 million for the loss of household services, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of a normal relationship with her husband.
Due to the Feres Doctrine, the federal government is protected from medical malpractice lawsuits from military personnel. The Texas medical error lawsuit hopes to overturn the doctrine and find justice for the young, disabled veteran.